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review

Galibier Équipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts

8
£73.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Well-made, high-performing bib shorts with an excellent pad at their heart
Excellent pad
Wide bib straps minimise pressure
Well made
Great fit
Leg grippers are quite snug on large thighs
Weight: 
171g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Galibier's Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts offer excellent value for money when you consider the performance. Their close fit feels slightly compressive but never restrictive, and the pad is super-comfortable both for long rides and shorter, harder efforts.

Galibier has given the original Equipe Aero bib shorts a bit of an upgrade with a new one-piece bib section and a new pad.

> Buy now: Galibier Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts for £73 from Galibier

Let's kick off with that pad, the ProDry SL. It uses a three-layer, dual-density memory foam in its construction, according to Galibier. I don't like pads that are too thick, and at first glance – or rather, prod – I wasn't too sure I was going to get on with this one.

2022 Galibier Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts - chamois.jpg

The two thickest sections of padding are around 13mm in depth, so I was concerned it was going to be squidgy, removing feedback from the bike and, worst case scenario, cause hotspots or numbness.

It's impressively firm, though, maintaining its shape, and didn't detract from the overall ride. Most importantly, it was very comfortable. I found that it barely compressed under normal riding conditions yet still provided a bit of 'suspension' when it was needed.

2022 Galibier Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts - legs back.jpg

This really helped on longer rides, whether on the road or gravel tracks, and I found that the more miles I did over the test period, the more the pad kind of moulded itself to the shape of my sit bones and became even more comfortable.

As for the rest of the shorts, well, they didn't let the pad down.

The multi-panel design of the main part of the shorts gives a great fit, cut in a way to suit your position on the bike.

The fabric is slightly compressive without being over the top, which gives a boost to muscle support, which again helps on those longer rides – although both the Lycra fabrics and the pad still work for those harder, shorter efforts.

> 5 ways proper kit can boost your riding

The lightweight bib section has no seams at the shoulders which means comfort all round, with the wide straps reducing pressure and guaranteeing comfort.

2022 Galibier Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts - straps front.jpg

When stretched, holes in the back panel open up, which helps breathability.

2022 Galibier Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts - straps back.jpg

The only thing I didn't quite get on with at first was the leg gripper. I have quite large thighs and I felt that they were a little restrictive. Like the pad, though, they did relax a bit over time, providing a more comfortable fit. It's something worth bearing in mind the first time you try them on.

2022 Galibier Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts - cuff.jpg

Sizing-wise they are true to Galibier's guide, and in line with what I'd consider to be standard for the UK market.

The overall quality of the Equipe 2 shorts is to the high standard I've grown to expect from Galibier. The stitching is neat throughout, and the flatlocked seams increase comfort.

2022 Galibier Equipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts - cuff logo.jpg

Taking all of this into account, the £73 price tag is pretty impressive.

For instance, the Castelli Free Aero RC Bib Shorts that Mat was really impressed with, especially the seat pad, come in at £175.

> Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best cycling bib shorts

And last year I found the NVPA BIB/Short Navy supremely comfortable, but again they're considerably more expensive than the Galibiers at £145. 

Conclusion

The Galibiers offer a great performance, with the highlight being that pad. It's really comfortable for short rides but even better for those longer treks, and when you consider the quality the price is very impressive indeed.

Verdict

Well-made, high-performing bib shorts with an excellent pad at their heart

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Galibier Équipe 2 Aero Bib Shorts

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Galibier says, "Our Équipe shorts have proved to be fantastic for both comfort and durability since their launch in 2018. For the new evolution of the bib shorts; we have retained the finest Italian lycra and introduced a one piece brace / bib and new pro Dry chamois to maximise the comfort on the body.

Construction stays with Carvico's Aero fabric on the ergonomic side panels, designed specifically to reduce drag. This Lycra is also four way stretch to mirror the pedalling motion and eliminate the stress point at the hip. Our partner factory worked with us to locate ideal material placement to optimise comfort, stitching the front and back panels in very light compression for second-skin feel.

Our ProDry SL is a high performance chamois, ideal for long hours in the saddle. When you ride all day the chamois function is to reduce friction, remove moisture and protect from vibration. This pad is constructed 3-layer, dual-density memory foam construction breathability. Perfect fit for all shapes because it adheres better to the body allowing freedom of movement. The highest density support is located in the ischium (sit bones) area and greatly reduces friction and vibration when the pad is under stress. The entire pad is anti-bacterially treated during final assembly and is super soft.

The leg grippers are soft and secure silicone that subtly match our Team jersey range and your pedalling motion. 100% flat stitched to avoid irritation.

Your bike time just got better."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Galibier lists these details:

FEATURES

High performance dual Carvico fabric offers excellent fast wicking muscle support (UPF 50+).

Fully flat-locked seams

Multi-panel, anatomic construction (with seamless inside leg) for strength and comfort.

Soft 5cm Silicone gripper hems

Dual Mesh bibs for secure and comfortable fit.

Antibacterial coated chamois

Medium compression for longer rides

Super light wide top mesh design

CONSTRUCTION

Main B

Nylon 71%

Elastane 29%

Main A

Nylon 78%

Elastane 22%

Trim : Polyester 82%, Elastane 18%

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

Sizing is spot on.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Plenty of washes and no problems.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very comfortable pair of bib shorts regardless of the ride distance.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Excellent pad.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Leg grippers are a big snug to start with.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

At least half the price of many of the best performing bib shorts we've tested, as shown in the main review.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The only small issue I had were the snug leg grippers, but they eased over time. Other than that, I can only praise every other aspect of the Equipe 2s.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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7 comments

Avatar
galibiervelo | 1 year ago
0 likes

woop. love these and this ^

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 1 year ago
1 like

I love Galibier kit - I have quite a bit of it but only their "base" model bibs which I find have a 3hr ride limit with my bum.   Tempted to try these when they wear out, never quite found the right pair of "all dayer" shorts 

Avatar
Yorky-M | 1 year ago
2 likes

Fantastic pair of bibs which most of our club's race team use. Pro level fabrics and finish at club level £.

Avatar
Freddy56 | 1 year ago
0 likes

My LEGOG had two pairs of these super shorts on rotation last month. 1442km never passed so easy. I would highly recommend them also with Specialized saddles.

Avatar
andystow replied to Freddy56 | 1 year ago
2 likes

Gohn O'Groats?

Avatar
mdavidford replied to andystow | 1 year ago
4 likes

George O'Groats. It's one of four possible end points, though very few people choose to finish at Ringo O'Groats.

Avatar
Freddy56 replied to andystow | 1 year ago
3 likes

LOL, it was Grace o Groats, that was John's mother; he didnt bring the correct messages from the Shop in scotland and had to go back again.

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